Jody Gerson, Jane Rosenthal, David S. Goyer Join The Ankler at NAB Show

Lesli Linka Glatter, Tony Phelan and Joan Rater also are among additional speakers set to join previously announced Nick Khan, Triple H, Kevin Mayer & Tom Staggs

Mar 26, 2025

Additional programming announced! The Ankler is heading to Vegas to deliver the Business of Entertainment at NAB Show April 5-9. Ankler Media CEO/Editor-in-Chief Janice Min and Ankler contributors Erik Barmack, Natalie Jarvey, Elaine Low, Sean McNulty and Katey Rich will lead conversations with top leaders and innovators on the biggest stage in the media and technology industry. Check out the programming slate below and register with our code (ANK01) to receive $60 off your Exhibits Pass.

Bob Dylan to Alicia Keys to Billie Eilish: How Music and Song Drive Culture From sold-out arenas to award-winning films, documentaries, and the soundtracks of our social media lives, music remains at the heart of culture and the forefront of storytelling. Jody Gerson, pioneering chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, works with the world’s biggest superstars — Elton John, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and countless more — while securing the priceless catalogs of icons like Bob Dylan, Sting and Neil Diamond to preserve and enhance their enduring legacies. She joins Ankler Media CEO and editor-in-chief Janice Min for a deep dive into the narrative power of popular song, how UMPG collaborates with artists, songwriters and producers to push creative boundaries, and how the music industry’s evolving relationship with Hollywood continues to shape entertainment and media.
Expanding the Frame: Technology & the Future of Storytelling How can filmmakers and producers harness new formats while staying true to authentic storytelling? Jane Rosenthal, Oscar- and Emmy-nominated producer and co-founder/CEO of Tribeca Enterprises (The Irishman, Meet the Parents), and Lesli Linka Glatter, multi DGA Award-winning and multi Emmy-nominated director, producer and DGA president (Homeland, Zero Day, Mad Men), will dive into the hot topic as the aperture of entertainment widens. From big-screen blockbusters and prestige TV to immersive experiences at Sphere in Las Vegas, including Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard From Earth, Rosenthal has been at the forefront of expanding creative frontiers, while Glatter has shaped some of the most acclaimed narratives of our time. Together, they’ll explore the opportunities and disruptions brought by new technologies and platforms — and how authentic storytelling remains at the core. Moderated by Katey Rich, The Ankler’s awards editor and host of the Prestige Junkie podcast.
AI, Hollywood and New Worlds of Storytelling Hollywood writer and producer David Goyer — known for Blade, Foundation and his writing on Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy — will explore the new formats of collaborative storytelling that are bridging the gap between AI and traditional entertainment through his latest franchise project Emergence and the AI-powered platform Incention. In conversation with producer Erik Barmack, author of The Ankler’s Reel AI newsletter, Goyer will unpack how collaborative storytelling can activate fandoms, develop AI’s creative potential, and transform traditional IP structures to reach new audiences everywhere.
Fire Country and the Boom of Broadcast Procedurals (Again!) The robust launches of a new generation of television’s traditional procedural have helped to power a broadcast renaissance and sent the streamers hustling to add their entries to the genre. CBS, the leader in primetime for 21 of the last 22 seasons, has been at the forefront of developing and programming procedural dramas and expanding the show universes from CSI to NCIS and more. Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, the creators and executive producers of CBS’ Fire Country and its upcoming spinoff, Sheriff Country, join CBS Entertainment’s Yelena Chak, EVP scripted development, and Bryan Seabury, EVP, head of content strategy and drama development, CBS Studios, for a conversation about the process behind the successful procedural — from the creative seeds of a show to the strategy for spinoffs and expansions. Moderated by Elaine Low, author of The Ankler’s Series Business newsletter.

Previously announced programming includes:

WWE: The Next Era of Sports Entertainment With WWE entering a bold new chapter, President Nick Khan and Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque are at the helm, shaping its evolution in an ever-changing media and entertainment landscape. This panel delves into WWE’s future — from global expansion and talent development to innovative storytelling and the integration of new technologies. How is WWE adapting to streaming, live event experiences, and fan engagement in the digital age? What’s next for the company’s creative direction and business strategy? Join us for an exclusive conversation between Sean McNulty and WWE’s leadership as they discuss their vision for the next generation of sports entertainment.
Werk Ethic: Drag Race Universe and Beyond – Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, co-founders of World of Wonder and executive producers of RuPaul’s Drag Race, share how they built WOW Presents Plus and expanded the franchise to 20+ countries with a fan-first approach across live events and digital platforms. Moderated by Elaine Low.
Reality Check: The New Rules of Unscripted TV – Andrew Fried, president of Boardwalk Pictures and executive producer of Welcome to Wrexham and Chef’s Table, joins Howard Owens, founder and co-CEO of Propagate Content; Jennifer O’Connell, CEO of Pantheon Media Group and co-CEO of Velvet Hammer Media; and Courtney White, president of Wheelhouse Entertainment, to explore latest trends, challenges and innovations shaping non-fiction television. Moderated by Elaine Low.
Navigating the Future of Hollywood: Opportunities in Uncertain Times – Hollywood is in the midst of generational shifts in business models and consumer habits, not to mention ongoing technical disruption, and the future is full of uncertainty. But innovators often find that the largest opportunities emerge during the most uncertain of times. Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, Candle Media co-founders and co-CEOs, share insights on how major Hollywood players are recalibrating and what it takes for leaders and organizations to get ahead of and capitalize on these seismic shifts. This candid discussion on the next era of entertainment will be moderated by Sean McNulty.